By LIAM TWOMEY
DEER Park established itself as a genuine premiership contender in the Western Region Football League on Saturday with a 15-point win over Altona.
In one of the most hotly anticipated clashes of the season, the Lions flew out of the blocks early during a pulsating first quarter.
Deer Park booted eight goals and had 15 scoring shots to open up a 36-point lead at the first change.
If the Vikings thought the pain would stop there, they were wrong with the home side backing that effort up with another seven goals in the second quarter.
With the margin sitting at over 10 goals and the game seemingly over, Altona launched a spirited comeback in the second half and an eight-goal final term closed the gap to just 15 points.
The damage had been well and truly done though and the Lions walked away with the four points and potential premiership favouritism in the 20.20 (140) to 19.11 (125) win.
Altona coach Anthony Eames paid credit to an outstanding Deer Park performance.
“I thought Deer Park was much more committed to the contest early and were certainly ready for anything we threw at them,” he said.
“At half time I thought we were on our way to a 20-goal hiding. Deer Park was playing some unbelievable footy. I think our players were surprised how good they were.
“That reputation that they are building up and everything we have heard over the pre-season is certainly true about Deer Park, they are a top outfit.”
Jayden Post continued his consistent start to the season for Altona, booting four goals to take his season tally up to 12.
For Deer Park, Rhett King was a standout to be named best on ground while the Lions had 11 individual goal scorers.
Saturday’s result sees Deer Park move to the top of the Division One ladder while Altona slip to third.
This week the Vikings will take on Port Melbourne and the Lions will meet Albion.
“I think we have a lot to work on and that is what Saturday showed us,” Eames said.
“I think a lot of our guys realise that now. It is alright for me to keep drilling it into them but until they experience it themselves, sometimes guys don’t get it.”
The news only gets better for Deer Park, which will be strengthened by the signing of former AFL star Andrew Lovett.
Lions’ coach Marc Bullen said it was an exciting time for the club.
“He (Lovett) will be right to play next week,” Bullen said.
“He was going to play this week but we thought we would just pull it back a week.
“He will add value, leg speed, amazing skills and goal kicking power as well so he is going to be great for us.
“We are looking forward to playing together again along with Heath Ayres who is due back in the next couple.”
